Four Arrested in Kurnool for ATM Theft, Key Accused Has 26 Cases

KURNOOL: Four individuals involved in an attempted ATM theft were arrested in Kurnool.

The gang, which has been operating across northern states, was caught while trying to break into an ATM under Ulindakonda police station limits. The key accused, Shahid Khan, has 26 ATM theft cases registered against him, while Imran Khan has 15 cases. The police assured that strict legal measures would be taken to prevent their release on bail.

District SP Vikrant Patil IPS revealed details of the arrest at a press conference held at the district police headquarters. The suspects were identified as Shahid Khan (38), Imran Khan (35), Jamsad Khan (43), and Shaukar Khan, all hailing from Mewat and Palwal districts in Haryana.

The incident took place on February 24, 2025, at around 1:00 AM when the suspects targeted a Bank of Baroda ATM in Chinnatekur village, near NH-44 service road. Using a towing vehicle, they forcibly pulled open the ATM’s shutter and attempted to drag the ATM machine outside. Local youths noticed the activity and immediately alerted the police. Following police instructions, they continued monitoring the gang, forcing the suspects to abandon the ATM and flee in their vehicle.

Responding swiftly, Kurnool Town DSP, Rural CI, and SI officers from Ulindakonda and Orvakal launched an investigation. The towing vehicle was later found near Ulindakonda Crossroad on NH-44. Based on a complaint from the Bank of Baroda manager, a case was registered at Ulindakonda Police Station (Cr. No. 23/2025) under sections 309(5), 312 r/w 62 BNS.

Through CCTV footage analysis and forensic examination, police confirmed that the suspects had traveled to Kurnool in a container truck before attempting to escape towards Bengaluru. They traced the vehicle’s ownership and identified Jamsad Khan as the driver. Further investigation revealed that Shahid Khan and Imran Khan had a long history of ATM thefts.

Following the orders of SP Vikrant Patil IPS, a four-team operation was launched. On the morning of February 25, 2025, at around 6:30 AM, the suspects were arrested near Samrathal Rajasthan Dhaba on NH-44. The police seized a gas cutter, a small gas cylinder, knives, fake keys, masks, gloves, spray cans, and cooling glasses from them.

During interrogation, the accused confessed to the Bank of Baroda ATM theft attempt and an earlier attempt at an Axis Bank ATM on February 23, 2025, where they fled after the alarm went off. They also admitted to stealing the towing vehicle used in the crime. Further questioning revealed that the gang had committed similar ATM thefts in Haryana, Punjab, Delhi, and Uttar Pradesh.

Following their confessions, police alerted officials in other states and presented the suspects in court. Kurnool Sub-Division SP J. Babu Prasad and his team were commended by District SP Vikrant Patil IPS for their swift action in solving the case. Officers involved in the investigation, including Rural CI Chandrababu Naidu, Town CI Sheshayya, Cyber CI Venugopal, and SIs from Ulindakonda and Orvakal, received cash rewards for their efforts.